A man, 25-year-old Benjamin Ling Jialiang, together with two women - Fong Ling Ling, 45, and Judy Wee Aye Fong, 52 - were charged in court on Friday (Feb 26) with the offence of putting a person in fear of harm in order to commit extortion.

On Thursday, the three Singaporeans were arrested along with another woman - who is still being investigated - for holding two Singaporean males captive in a Penang hotel and demanding a ransom of US$250,000 (S$351,000) from the fiancee of one of the victims.

In a statement on Thursday, Police said they were informed on Monday night (Feb 22) after 29-year-old Crystal Lim was contacted by an unidentified Malaysian mobile phone number asking for money in exchange for the release of her Singaporean fiance. The fiance, 28, had travelled to Penang, Malaysia the day before for a business trip with his brother, 27.

The victims were rescued unharmed after officers from the Singapore Police Force and Royal Malaysia Police worked together to pursue leads, establish the identities of the suspects, as well as the location where the men were believed to be held.

A total of four Singaporean suspects were arrested on Monday by the Criminal Investigation Department. Investigations against the fourth, a woman, are ongoing. No ransom money was delivered, according to the police.

Four Malaysian men were also arrested in Penang in connection with the case.

The three Singaporeans have been charged under section 385 of the Penal Code for putting a person in fear of harm in order to commit extortion. They face up to 5 years' jail and the cane.

All three have been remanded for another week for investigations, while the victims are still in Malaysia assisting police. The case will be next mentioned on Mar 4.​However, Wee, who committed the offence while under a supervision order under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, could face up to twice this jail term.